Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2015
This bill amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to revise and reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation's (NSF) ocean acidification programs through FY2019.
The scope of the Act is expanded to cover acidification in estuaries and the Great Lakes, not just oceans. Acidification is the decrease in pH of those waters and changes in their chemistry caused by chemical inputs, including carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The National Science and Technology Council's Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology must: (1) oversee the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies to address socioeconomic impacts resulting from ocean acidification, (2) ensure that agencies represented on the interagency working group on ocean acidification deliver data and information to support the Ocean Acidification Information Exchange and a data archive, and (3) establish an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board to provide advice to the subcommittee and the interagency working group and certain information to Congress and the public.
The strategic plan for federal research and monitoring on ocean acidification must include: (1) modeling to determine impacts of acidification on marine food webs, and (2) research to understand related and cumulative stressors and other biogeochemical processes occurring in conjunction with ocean acidification.
NOAA must establish data processing, storage, and archive facilities and procedures to provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data, products, and information necessary for carrying out the Act.
[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2717 Introduced in House (IH)]
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2717
To modify the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act
of 2009, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 10, 2015
Mr. Farr (for himself, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mrs. Capps) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To modify the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act
of 2009, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Ocean Acidification Research
and Monitoring Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
Section 12402(a) of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3701(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``development and
coordination'' and inserting ``coordination and
implementation'';
(2) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``ocean chemistry
and'' after ``ocean acidification on'';
(3) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``establish an
interagency research and monitoring'' and inserting ``maintain
and advise an interagency research, monitoring, and public
outreach''; and
(4) in paragraph (2), by striking ``establishment'' and
inserting ``maintenance''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``and changes in ocean'' and
inserting ``, estuaries, and the Great Lakes and
changes in their''; and
(B) by striking ``from the atmosphere, including
carbon dioxide'' and inserting ``, including carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Joint''.
SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY SUBCOMMITTEE.
Section 12404 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``Joint Subcommittee on
Ocean Science and Technology of the National
Science and Technology Council'' and inserting
``Subcommittee, with the assistance of the
interagency working group described in
paragraph (2),''; and
(ii) by inserting ``on ocean
acidification'' after ``working group''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``United States
Geological Survey, the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, and such other Federal agencies as
appropriate'' and inserting ``Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of State, the Environmental Protection
Agency, the United States Geological Survey, the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States
Navy, the Department of Energy, and such other Federal
agencies as the Subcommittee considers appropriate'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (A);
(ii) by inserting ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (B); and
(iii) by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(C) adaptation and mitigation strategies to
address socioeconomic impacts resulting from ocean
acidification;'';
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(4);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(6);
(D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following
new paragraph:
``(5) ensure that each of the agencies represented on the
interagency working group delivers data and information to
support the Information Exchange described in paragraph (6) and
the data archive established under section 12406(c)(1); and'';
and
(E) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated by
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph--
(i) by inserting ``through the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in
collaboration with the other agency members of
the interagency working group, and in
consultation with the Advisory Board
established under subsection (d),'' before
``establish or designate'';
(ii) by inserting ``create a platform for
community coordination and to'' after
``Exchange to''; and
(iii) by inserting ``State, local, and
tribal governments,'' after ``useful to
policymakers,'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``Not later than 2 years
after the delivery of the initial report under
paragraph (1) and every 2 years thereafter, the
Subcommittee'' and inserting ``Not later than 3
years after publication of the most recent
strategic research plan under section 12405,
the Subcommittee, in consultation with the
Advisory Board established under subsection
(d),'';
(ii) by inserting ``, and to the Office of
Management and Budget,'' after ``House of
Representatives''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``the interagency research plan developed by
the Subcommittee under section 12405'' and
inserting ``such strategic research plan''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3); and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Advisory Board.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Chairman of the Subcommittee
shall establish an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board.
``(2) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall have 15
members, with a reasonable cross-sectional representation of
the United States coastal, island, and Great Lakes regions,
including--
``(A) 2 representatives of the shellfish and crab
industry;
``(B) 1 representative of the finfish industry;
``(C) 1 representative of seafood processors;
``(D) 3 representatives from academia, including
both natural and social sciences;
``(E) 1 representative of relevant nongovernmental
organizations;
``(F) 6 representatives from relevant State, local,
and tribal governments and Federal agencies; and
``(G) 1 additional qualified member.
``(3) Appointment of members.--The Chairman of the
Subcommittee shall appoint members to 5-year terms, giving
consideration to ensuring an appropriate balance of scientific,
industry, and geographical interests, and ensuring
representation from all relevant sectors. A member may be
appointed to more than one term.
``(4) Application.--The Chairman of the Subcommittee shall
seek and give due consideration to applications from members of
the public for seats on the Advisory Board.
``(5) Nomination.--The Chairman of the Subcommittee shall
seek and give due consideration to nominations and
recommendations from the public and the members of the
interagency working group for the appointments to the Advisory
Board.
``(6) Member expertise.--Selection of individuals for the
Advisory Board shall be based on their demonstrated expertise
on ocean acidification and its scientific, economic, industry,
and community impacts, and their record of distinguished
service in relation to this issue. Their perspectives shall
broadly represent the interest group for which the seat is
designated.
``(7) Chairman.--The Chairman of the Subcommittee shall
appoint one member of the Advisory Board to serve as Chairman.
``(8) Meetings.--The Advisory Board shall meet at such
times and places as may be designated by the Chairman of the
Advisory Board, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Subcommittee.
``(9) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
``(A) not later than 6 months after transmittal of
a report by the Subcommittee under subsection (c)(2),
transmit to the Subcommittee, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives an analysis
of such report;
``(B) not later than 6 months after publication of
the most recent strategic research plan under section
12405, transmit to the Subcommittee, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate,
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives an analysis
of such strategic research plan and the implementation
thereof;
``(C) provide ongoing advice to the Subcommittee
and the interagency working group on matters related to
Federal activities on ocean acidification taken
pursuant to this subtitle;
``(D) advise the Subcommittee and the interagency
working group on the content and design of the
Information Exchange described in subsection (b)(6);
``(E) advise the Subcommittee and the interagency
working group on the standards developed for data
archiving as required under section 12406(c);
``(F) establish a publicly accessible web page,
hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, that includes--
``(i) the charter required under section
9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.);
``(ii) schedules and minutes for meetings
of the Advisory Board;
``(iii) any documents described in
subsections (b) and (c) of section 9 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act that are created
by the Advisory Board; and
``(iv) any reports prepared by the Advisory
Board;
``(G) publish in the Federal Register the charter
described in subparagraph (F)(i); and
``(H) provide to the Library of Congress any
charter or document described in subparagraph (F)(i) or
(iii).
``(10) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal
Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Board,
except for section 9(b) and (c) and section 10(a) through
(d).''.
SEC. 5. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.
Section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``and not later than 5 years after
publication of the most recent plan under this
section,'' after ``enactment of this Act,'';
(B) by inserting ``address socioeconomic impacts
and'' after ``mitigation strategies to''; and
(C) by striking ``National Academy of Sciences in
the review of the plan required under subsection (d)''
and inserting ``Advisory Board'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and social''
after ``among the ocean'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``improve the
ability to'';
(C) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``address
socioeconomic impacts and'' after ``mitigation
strategies to'';
(D) in paragraph (3)(F), by inserting ``and
management'' after ``database development'';
(E) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(3)(H);
(F) by redesignating subparagraph (I) of paragraph
(3) as subparagraph (J);
(G) by inserting after paragraph (3)(H) the
following new subparagraph:
``(I) education and outreach activities; and'';
(H) in paragraph (4), by striking ``set forth'' and
inserting ``ensure an appropriate balance of
contribution in setting forth''; and
(I) by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:
``(7) estimate budget requirements by fiscal year for full
implementation of each element of the plan over the course of
the 10 years of the plan;'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``surface'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``input'' and inserting
``inputs''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, marine food webs,''
after ``marine ecosystems'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``on moorings and
autonomous floats'' and inserting ``for monitoring and
research''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(6) Research to understand related and cumulative
stressors and other biogeochemical processes occurring in
conjunction with ocean acidification, including hypoxia and
harmful algal blooms.''; and
(4) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the
following:
``(d) Publication and Public Comment.--Not later than 90 days
before the strategic research plan, or any revision thereof, is
transmitted to Congress, the Subcommittee shall publish the plan in the
Federal Register and provide an opportunity for submission of public
comments for a period of not less than 60 days.''.
SEC. 6. NOAA OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
Section 12406 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by inserting ``coordination,'' after
``research, monitoring,'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by inserting ``including the
Integrated Ocean Observing System and
the ocean observing assets of other
agencies,'' after ``ocean observing
assets,''; and
(II) by inserting ``and agency and
department missions, prioritizing co-
location of monitoring instruments,
assets, and projects for efficient use
of resources and to optimize
understanding of socioeconomic impacts
and ecosystem health'' after ``research
program'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting
``and protecting impacted industries and
communities'' after ``marine ecosystems''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``monitoring and impacts research'' and
inserting ``research, monitoring, and
adaptation strategies''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``projects that
explore'' and inserting ``and education projects that
explore and communicate''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Data Archive, Access, and Availability.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination with
members of the interagency working group, shall establish data
processing, storage, and archive facilities and procedures to
provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data,
products, and information necessary for carrying out this
subtitle.
``(2) Activities.--Activities under this subsection shall
include--
``(A) archiving environmental data collected by
Federal, State, and local agencies, academic
scientists, citizen scientists, industry and tribal
organizations, and federally funded research;
``(B) promoting widespread availability and
dissemination of environmental data and information
through full and open access exchange to the greatest
extent possible, including in electronic format on the
Internet through resources such as the Information
Exchange described in section 12404(b)(6);
``(C) developing standards, protocols, and
procedures for interoperability and intercalibration
and the sharing of Federal data with State and local
government programs, the private sector, and academia;
and
``(D) developing metadata standards in accordance
with available guidelines.
``(3) Requirement.--Recipients of grants from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under this subtitle
shall collect data in accordance with the interoperability,
intercalibration, and metadata standards described in paragraph
(2) and submit those data to the Secretary on a timely
basis.''.
SEC. 7. NSF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
Section 12407 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``continue to carry out
research activities on ocean acidification which shall''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Requirement.--Recipients of grants from the National Science
Foundation under this subtitle shall collect data in accordance with
the interoperability, intercalibration, and metadata standards
described in section 12406(c)(2) and submit those data to the Secretary
on a timely basis.''.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 12409 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3708) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``this subtitle'' and
all that follows through ``2012'' and inserting ``$20,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``this subtitle'' and
all that follows through ``2012'' and inserting ``$15,000,000
for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2019''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
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